OBSERVATION CHAPTER ONE
OBSERVATION Is to see and perceive things and to regard with attention so as to learn their unique qualities
It is to immerse in looking at something carefully. It is also to learn to observe without judgement.
OBSERVATION
Is to see and perceive things and to regard with attention so as to learn their unique qualities It is a fundamental starting point in artmaking.
It is first hand from the world around us and sets the stage for inquiry.
Local buildings & places Signs & symbols
ENVIRONMENT Human behaviour Architecture
Events
Things people use
Objects Nature
People - loners, pairs & in groups
Animals & plants Festivals & celebrations
BE CURIOUS about your surroundings
PRACTICE Slow down and take time. You will notice more when you stop and look. Do not just look right through people, look at them. What do you actually see?
Being observant takes practice, where you slow down, stop and watch.
stoP And look around you
You may notice the expression of your friend's face when he is late for school.
Sit at a bench in the park and take time to look at the passerbys.
Pay attention to people's reactions when they hear a piece of news. Look at the source of visual information right in front of you.
Watch
People's body language, expression & communication styles
The card stock L shapes help you to adjust to any format you would like to cropfromwhatyou see in front of you. Hold the viewfinder grid out at arm's length and look at the subject through the window. Move the frame around until you find your desired viewpoint.
vIEWFINDER As a tool
IDENTIFY
DESCRIBE
The characteristics or visual qualities
What the subject matter looks like When you 'focus in' to the subject matter, you begin to understand how the subject really looks like and not just viewing from the surface.
Look at real objects as much as possible. It is about what you see and not what you think you see.
FOCUS On the subject
Drawing the object from above helps you to draw the object as you see it as it is. focus on the circle around the object, notice the positive and negative spaces around it and use essential lines to describe what you are seeing. When objects are in front of you, the lighting conditions, varied angles and actual textures of the subject become readily available and drawings hence become richer and more authentic. You should spend as much time looking at the subject as drawing it.
LOOK CLOSELY at details
DRAW For 10 min everyday What you see Look at the object & analyze the relationships of shape, value, proportion & texture.
LOOK From one point of view , then four. Drawing the same object from different points of view helps focus on the relationship between negative & positive spaces occupied by the object itself.
Wherever you are, carry a small sketchbook with you. Write down the date, train of thoughts, how long you took for each sketch and how relevant that sketch is to your line of artistic inquiry.
Sketchbook As a daily practice
SEE TOUCH
Shape&Line Texture
FEEL LISTEN
Volume, Form, Space Sound
EXPERIENCE ENTRY POINTS Ways of seeing
Multi sensory
SUGGESTED ways to carry out observations through drawing It can be done using some of the elements of art and principles of designs. It is a way of collecting visual information.
Observational drawings simply mean drawing from life. Use lines to represent the folds as you decide on a starting point to begin your drawing. look and examine the folds in the drapery . How would you describe these folds and do you see the movements which are created by the fabric? Allow the line to follow the eye. it can be a line that stops and continues again, allow the eye to complete the trajectory to complete the form.
LINES I Contour drawings
LINES II Gestural drawings LINES II Gestural drawings
Begin with 15-30 second drawings, then 3 min gesture drawings. Use wet materials like the brush and wash or dry mediums like ink pens. After practicing much gestural drawings, you will begin to choose what aspects the subject best express your impression of the subject matter even though visual information may be reduced. A successful gestural drawing captures the essence of the subject matter,
Look at the close-up or underside of the vegetable patch. do you see how patterns can be found in nature? There are intricate patterns and textured in objects of natural design. Follow local artists like Han Sai Por who take great delight in details.
TEXTURES Patterns
When observing a head, pumpkin or ball, represent the height, width and depth of the form And volume using simplification before adding the details. Also, look at the facial expressions of the person you are observing. Describe these expressions and use ways to show the emotions expressed as you observe them.
FORMS Facial expressions
SUGGESTED activities to practice observing
Understand perspective as you observe, objects get smaller as they move further away from you. When on your way to your daily activities, stop at a few locations of your interest and do thumbnail sketches at each place. You may use a viewfinder to frame and isolate the forms. Always just look at your subject and appreciate the main features of the scene. You may also observe the place by memory. Scan the place by noticing differences, similarities and repeated patterns.
WALK TO SCHOOL
Go to the museum and observe a sculpture. Do a quick thumbnail sketch of it. Carry out little experiments in your sketchbook with thumbnail sketches. The term thumbnail refers to the size of the image which is usually one-inch square and used as a preliminary drawing that of a larger one. It can also be a record for memory reference and represents the essence of the subject matter.
Museum trip
CONNECT
Divergent thinking is also encouraged here to think of associations from the things observed.
When observing, you may have encountered something that is unfamiliar, make contemporary connections by relating it to come thing personally familiar. Making these connections help to make complex ideas accessible. You may also engage in authentic discussions with your friends on the things you have observed. Think of the choices which you have made in selecting the subject matters for observation.
REFLECT In and on action
RECOGNISE Do you notice differences in the way you observe a subject matter when you stop to look closely and examine its visual qualities? Why is this important?
Try not to think about what you know about the world you navigate daily, and just draw what you see and not what you think you see. However, having a purpose in observing is important. Do the resources collected help you to develop an idea, theme or concept for your artistic inquiry and research?
GAIN CONFIDENCE and understanding of your visual world